Sunday, February 26, 2012

Can CBC Help You Detect Ovarian Cancer ?

Ovary, Ovarian Cancer, CBC, CA-125, blood test, Complete Blood Count
In this post i'm gonna talk about "Can CBC help you detect ovarian cancer ?"

What is CBC ?

The complete blood count (CBC) is one of the most used blood tests. The complete blood count is the estimate of the cellular (formed elements) of blood. These estimate are usually spesified by special machines that anatomize the dissimilar components of blood in less than a minute.

A main portion of the complete blood count is the quantify of the concentration of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in the blood.

How is the test done?

The complete blood count (CBC) test is done by gaining a few milliliters (one to two teaspoons) of blood sample directly form the patient. It can be performed in many settings including the doctor's office, hospitals and laboratories. The skin is wiped clean with an alcohol pad, and then a needle is inserted through the area of cleansed skin into to patient's vein (one that can be visualized from the skin.) The blood is then withdrawed from the needle by a syringe or by an extension to a special vacuumed vial where it is collected. This sample is then taken to the laboratory for analysis.

So, Can it detect ovarian Cancer ?

A complete blood test, or complete blood count or blood panel, won't detect ovarian cancer. Stanford University states that complete blood counts can detect spesific cancers, like leukemia. Complete blood counts are also helpful in diagnosing things like bleeding, anemia and infection.

But, CA-125 can handle it 

There is a blood test that can detect ovarian cancer. CA 125 or cancer antigen 125, is a blood test that is 80 percent effective in discovering ovarian cancer that is in stages II to IV. There are also tumor marking tests known as BRCAs that can show potential risk for ovarian and other female cancers.

Ovarian cancer is explained by the American Cancer Society as the number-one main cause of death of all female reproductive system cancers. Although, the fact that complete blood test cannot detect this cancer, the CA-125 is the best test available to date at detecting ovarian cancer.

Source: 
>> 1. Answerbag
>> 2. MedicineNet
>> 3. Cancer.Stanford.edu

Image: 
>> sxc.hu





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